Re: Spring 2014 | Page 52

Sussex Food & Drink Awards Eight Sussex food heroes, a masterchef and a proposal! Winners of the Sussex Food & Drink Awards 2013/14 were announced at a spectacular awards ceremony on 30th January at the Amex Stadium in Brighton, but awards patron Sally Gunnell OBE DL and Danny Pike of BBC Sussex, who were hosting the evening, were stopped in their tracks when a proposal of marriage raised the roof! This year’s winner of Sussex Farmer of the Year, Charlie Hughes, ended his emotional winning speech with a surprise proposal of marriage to his girlfriend Sarah Butler and as he got down on one knee, the cheers filled the entire stadium with her acceptance making it a night they would never forget. The evening was a sell out, with over 350 leaders in the food, drink and farming industry gathering for what is now dubbed ‘the Sussex foodie event of the year’.  Guests were treated to a wonderful ‘Sussex bubbly reception’, followed by a stunning seven-course banquet created by new stadium caterers, Sodexo Prestige, using the best local ingredients. Former Sussex Young Chef of the Year and recently crowned MasterChef Professional Champion, Steven Edwards, attended the awards ceremony and was hugely supportive of the awards when he was interviewed on stage saying,